Tuesday, December 26, 2017

For the first time in its 122-year history, the Pennsylvania Game
Commission will call its law-enforcement officers “state game wardens.”

Effective on January 1, 2018 Pennsylvania will have game wardens. Not that they didn't before, they just called them something different.

“The job titles previously used to describe our field officers – game
protector and wildlife conservation officer – didn’t fully identify
their unique and diverse responsibilities,” explained Pennsylvania Game
Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “The goal here is to more
clearly identify our officers and their purpose. We believe ‘state game
warden’ will help communicate this.

“In addition, this title already is well understood by the public,”
Burhans said. “The word ‘warden’ is America’s oldest title for the men
and women who serve wildlife in this capacity.”

Since the recodification of the state’s Game and Wildlife Code in
1987, field officers were titled wildlife conservation officers. Prior
to that, they were called district game protectors. But neither title
resonated with the public. Many never associated them with Game
Commission officers
.
Game wardens are known by many different titles depending upon the
state wildlife agency for which they work. The titles reflect the
varying sets of broad duties they fulfill. Most wardens share a basic
duty to enforce the laws that regulate hunting, protect wildlife and the
environment. However, their duties extend into education, research and a
host of conservation programs.

For example, Pennsylvania game wardens coordinate and supervise
Hunter-Trapper Education programs. They also represent the agency at
conservation and sportsmen’s club meetings, respond to nuisance wildlife
complaints, and deal with injured wildlife and suspected rabid-animal
calls. Warden work also includes wildlife surveys, wildlife
trap-and-transfer, field research and providing programs to civic groups
and public schools.

“It was the variety of work, which has accompanied the position since
game protectors were defined by law in 1895, that inspired the former
titles our officers have had,” Burhans said.
While wildlife law-enforcement is a core responsibility, fulfillment
of an officer’s full range of duties requires significant training and
responsibility.

Burhans noted that the public often wonders what our game wardens do outside of the hunting season.

“There is no “off” season for our officers,” he said. “The breadth of
responsibilities is what sets game wardens apart from other traditional
law-enforcement professionals. Being a game warden requires a very
unique person willing and able develop a diversity of skills in support
of the agency.”
Burhans said renaming full-time agency officers ‘game wardens’ immediately will help the public know what these officers do.

It’s important to point out, though, that game wardens are sworn
peace officers with statewide law-enforcement authority. They are highly
trained and equipped as well as any police officer. They are expected
to know and follow standards for protecting civil rights, gathering
evidence that will hold up in court and prosecute violations of many
different laws.

“As one of the most familiar faces of our agency, it is critical that
that game wardens are recognized for who they are and what they do,”
emphasized Burhans. “Anything less is unacceptable.”

Benthic macroinvertebrates are the insects and animals that spend most,
if not all, of their lives underwater. They can be mayflies or midges,
crayfish or clams, or one of many other underwater species, and are one
of the most important parts of the food chain that fish, birds, and
other animals depend on.

“Because they spend almost their entire lives in the water, benthic
macroinvertebrates are especially attuned to water quality,” said Dustin
Shull, Water Program Specialist for DEP. “They are an excellent way to
gauge how healthy a particular section of stream or river is, and help
DEP meet our obligations for monitoring water quality. This kind of
biological assessment helps DEP see and assess long-term, cumulative
effects of stressing factors on an ecosystem.”

Not all streams and rivers are created equal, and DEP has developed
unique macroinvertebrate collection methods for freestone streams,
limestone streams, and low-gradient streams. DEP uses these differing
methods to get a complete picture of how many, what type, and how
healthy the invertebrates are in any given habitat.

“DEP and partners have collected thousands of samples, and collect
hundreds more every year to continue to deepen our knowledge base on the
health of Pennsylvania’s waters,” said Shull.

See examples of the different streams types, the methods used to sample them, and results of the sampling by visiting Looking Below the Surface, DEP’s interactive story map on benthic macroinvertebrates.

“This type of research is vital to decision-making that goes on at DEP,”
said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “We use the data collected and
analyzed by program staff when we’re looking at how to clean up
watersheds and improve water quality in backyards and communities across
Pennsylvania. And we want to make sure that Pennsylvania residents can
see the data we’re collecting, so they can know more about what is
happening in their own area.”

Monday, November 27, 2017

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife will have a new tool to
use in its ongoing efforts to enforce wildlife laws as the state joins
the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, Department of Environmental
Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The compact, first developed in western states in the
mid-1980s, recognizes the importance of deterrence through the
suspension of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and privileges in
all member states resulting from violations concerning the pursuit,
possession or taking of a wide range of wildlife, including mammals,
birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, shellfish, and
crustaceans. New Jersey’s membership will begin on December 1.

“This cooperative and proactive interstate strategy will greatly
enhance our Division of Fish and Wildlife’s ability to protect and
manage our wildlife resources,” said Commissioner Martin. “Any person
who has their license privileges suspended in one member state may now
also have them suspended in all other member states. In addition, the
compact prevents convicted poachers who are under revocation in one
state from hunting, fishing, or trapping in other states.”

For the purposes of the compact, the term “license”
means any license, permit, or other public document which conveys to
the person to whom it was issued the privilege of pursuing, possessing,
or taking any wildlife regulated by statute, law, regulation,
ordinance, or administrative rule of a participating state.

License and privilege suspensions resulting from
wildlife violations committed on or after December 1, 2017 in New
Jersey may result in the reciprocal suspension of license privileges in
member states. If a person plans to hunt, fish, or trap in another
state, and has a license privilege suspension in New Jersey, it is
their responsibility to contact the other state to verify if they may
legally hunt, fish, or trap there.

New Jersey residents who fail to comply with the terms
of a citation or summons issued for a wildlife violation in another
member state may face a $50 fine and the suspension of all privileges
to take or possess wildlife in New Jersey until the citation has been
satisfied. Failing to appear in court or to otherwise answer a ticket or
summons issued for such violations will also result in license,
permit, and privilege suspension.

“Our agency has been charged with managing New Jersey’s
wildlife resources for 125 years and we take this responsibility very
seriously,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Larry
Herrighty. “Joining the compact protects New Jersey’s wildlife
resources and that of member states by deterring violators from
continuing their illegal activities and sends a clear message to all
that such behavior will not be tolerated.”

The concept of a wildlife violator compact was first
advanced in the early 1980s by member states in the Western Association
of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In 1985 draft compacts were developed
independently in Colorado and Nevada. Subsequently, these drafts were
merged and the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact was created.

More information on the Compact, including which states are members and
which violations with prescribed suspensions will be recognized in New
Jersey and shared with member states is available on the Division of
Fish and Wildlife website at: www.njfishandwildlife.com/violators_compact.htm

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Flood Study Could Help Advance Resiliency Projects

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that the State will provide up
to $50,000 for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study in the Sullivan
County hamlet of Livingston Manor. Funds will be used to undertake the
Livingston Manor Flood Control Feasibility Study. The funding was
secured with assistance from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther.

"As climate change fuels more intense and frequent storms that
threaten communities and infrastructure across the state, DEC experts
are on the frontlines everyday assisting local governments in planning
for and advancing important flood resiliency projects," said DEC
Commissioner Basil Seggos. "The Livingston Manor Flood Control
Feasibility Study will not only protect this community, it will also
improve the natural resources in the Catskills, which are critical to
the economic vitality of the region."

"The people who live in Livingston Manor have worked so hard to
rebuild and repair flood damage time and time again," Assemblywoman
Gunther said. "This study will help find a solution that works for
everyone."

"It is with great satisfaction and anticipation that we have been
waiting for such needed support from our state agencies. I can't say
enough about our Assembly Women Aileen Gunther, who has witnessed
first-hand, the devastation of flooding to our communities. Time and
time again. We have been working with the ACOE and the DEC for some time
now to develop a plan to reduce flooding in our area. Our small town
atmosphere is a driving force for many new businesses, and the
assistance from our state agency will help bring about positive change,
and continued growth for those who look for a more healthy lifestyle and
quality of life," said Rob Eggleton, Supervisor, town of Rockland.

A joint effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DEC, the town of
Rockland, the Livingston Manor Flood Control Feasibility Study was
originally initiated in 2009. In 2016, the study was re-envisioned to
focus solely on flood control, which required additional funding. In
October 2017, DEC committed to providing up to $50,000 to finalize the
study.

DEC is currently working with the U.S. Army Corps to finalize a
contract for the project. The study is anticipated to be completed in
2018. Following completion of the study, the U.S. Army Corps will begin
the design and construction phase of the project with federal, State and
local funding.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection released the following statement from Deputy Commissioner Paul Rush.

“New York City is pleased that the Decree Parties today committed to a
long-term agreement that balances the myriad interests connected to the
Delaware River. The 10-year program protects public health for millions
of Americans by sustaining their supplies of high-quality drinking
water. The agreement also expands efforts to enhance flood attenuation
and support the outdoor recreation economy of the upper Delaware River
through the protection of its natural ecology and wild trout fishery.

“Importantly, the new agreement was built upon untold hours of
scientific work and data analyses that aimed to advance the interests of
all stakeholders without detriment to any of them.

“That work does not end here. The new agreement requires the Decree
Parties to pursue a number of scientific studies related to salinity
intrusion in the lower Delaware River, the calculation of water
available to be released downstream of New York City’s reservoirs, and
other topics related to the natural resources of the basin.

“New York City will approach the work ahead with the same spirit of
collaboration that yielded the new flow-management program today.”

Friday, November 10, 2017

150,000 Public Comments in Support of Menhaden Protection Announced; Most Public Comments Ever Delivered to ASMFC!

(New York, NY Nov. 10, 2017) A record number of Americans are urging
the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council (ASMFC) to support
protection of Atlantic Menhaden in their upcoming decision. Over 150,000
Americans sent public comments in favor of strong Menhaden protections
during the recently completed public comment period. The ASMFC will meet
November 14th to decide on Amendment 3—a proposal to provide
stronger protections for Atlantic Menhaden that takes into
consideration the important role the “most important fish in the sea” plays as both a source of food for other species and filterer of water.

“From striped bass anglers and fishing captains to whale watchers and
bird enthusiasts, the varying interests across the east coast that
support managing menhaden to account for their importance to ocean
ecosystems shouldn’t come as a surprise. Anyone who pays close
attention to life in the water has seen first-hand just how important
this fish is, and wants to see the species conservatively managed,” said
Zach Cockrum, Northeast Regional Representative for the National
Wildlife Federation.

The Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will meet
November 13‐14, 2017 to consider approval of Amendment 3 to the
Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden and set
specifications for the 2018 fishing season.

Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia Tyrannus) play a central role
in the ecological and economic vitality of the Atlantic coastal
ecosystem as an essential food for whales as well as important
commercial and game fishes (striped bass, bluefin tuna, bluefish,
weakfish, tarpon, sharks), and a host of other marine wildlife. Menhaden
play a key role in the regulation of regional water quality by
filtering phytoplankton; its food source and a major cause of algae
blooms and brown tides.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Survey Preliminary Findings Show Importance of Increasing Access to Public Lands

T he U.S. Department of the Interior announced a new report by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service that shows that 101.6 million Americans—40
percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and older—participated in
wildlife-related activities in 2016, such as hunting, fishing and
wildlife-watching.

The survey illustrates gains in wildlife watching—particularly
around the home—and fishing, with moderate declines in the number of
hunters nationally. The findings reflect a continued interest in
engaging in the outdoors. These activities are drivers behind an
economic powerhouse, where participants spent $156 billion—the most in
the last 25 years, adjusted for inflation.

“This report absolutely underscores the need to increase public access to public lands across the United States,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “Hunting
and fishing are a part of the American heritage. As a kid who grew up
hunting and fishing on public lands who later took my own kids out on
the same land, I know how important it is to expand access for future
generations. Many folks east of the Mississippi River rely on friends
with large acreages or pay high rates for hunting and fishing clubs.
This makes access to wildlife refuges and other public lands more
important.”

On his first day in office, Secretary Zinke reversed an order
that would have banned lead ammo and fishing tackle on National Wildlife
Refuge lands, and he began the process of expanding hunting and fishing
opportunities on public lands across the Department.

In
August, the Secretary announced a proposal to expand hunting and fishing
opportunities at 10 national wildlife refuges, and he announced the
initial stages of a plan to acquire land to make the Bureau of Land
Management Sabinoso Wilderness Area accessible for the first time ever
to hunters, hikers and wildlife watchers.

In addition, Secretary Zinke recently made recommendations to
President Trump on 27 national monuments that call for changes to some
that, while still protecting the land, would also protect and expand
public access to that land for citizens who want to hunt, fish and hike
and experience the joy and beauty of these special places.

The survey, the 13th in a series conducted nearly every five
years since 1955, shows that the most substantial increases in
participation involve wildlife-watching—observing, feeding and
photographing wildlife. The report indicates these activities surged 20
percent from 2011 to 2016, from 71.8 million to 86 million participants
during that time. Expenditures by wildlife watchers also rose sharply—28
percent—between 2011 and 2016, from $59.1 billion to $75.9 billion.
Around-the-home wildlife-watching increased 18 percent from 2011, from
68.6 million in 2011 to 81.1 million participants in 2016. More modest
gains were made for away-from-home wildlife watchers: 5 percent increase
from 2011 to 2016, from 22.5 million to 23 million participants.

More Americans also went fishing. The report indicates an 8
percent increase in angling participation since 2011, from 33.1 million
anglers to 35.8 million in 2016. The greatest increases in
participation—10 percent—were seen in the Great Lakes area. Total
expenditures by anglers nationwide rose 2 percent from 2011 to 2016,
from $45 billion to $46.1 billion.

Hunting participation dropped by about 2 million participants but
still remained strong at 11.5 million hunters. Total expenditures by
hunters declined 29 percent from 2011 to 2016, from $36.3 billion to
$25.6 billion. However, expenditures for related items such as taxidermy
and camping equipment experienced a 27-percent uptick, and hunting
trip-related expenses increased 15 percent.

Regarding the decrease in participation in hunting, Zinke said:
“Hunters and anglers are at the backbone of American conservation, so
the more sportsmen and women we have, the better off our wildlife will
be. Some of our wildlife refuges have great mentored hunting programs.
I'd like to see these programs replicated and expanded across the
country and reach into areas where kids don't traditionally get the
opportunity to hunt, fish and? ?connect with wildlife. Some of my best
family time growing up and raising my own kids was hunting an
elk, enjoying a pheasant, or reeling in a rainbow. These are the
memories and traditions I want to share with future generations.”

“No one does more for our wildlife and or wild places than
hunters. Any decline in hunting numbers, real or perceived, is of great
concern since hunting provides the lion’s share of funding for
nationwide conservation work thanks to excise taxes on firearms,
ammunition and archery equipment that garner more than $1.6 annually,” said David Allen, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation president and CEO. “The
RMEF remains committed to growing and ensuring the future of our
hunting heritage as well as elk, other wildlife and their habitat.”

This year’s survey also gathered two new categories of data:
archery and target shooting. Findings show there are more than 32
million target shooters using firearms and 12.4 million people engaged
in archery, not including hunting.

“Hunters and anglers form the foundation of wildlife conservation
in the United States, consistently generating more funding for habitat
and wildlife management than any other source,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan.
“Industry, federal and state fish and wildlife agency initiatives that
focus on hunter and angler recruitment, retention and reactivation are
crucial to sustaining these conservation dollars and ensuring the next
generation of wildlife enthusiasts have the opportunity, access and
awareness to pursue these time-honored American traditions.”

“I praise Secretary Zinke for his support of hunting and land
access. The hunting and shooting sports community is grateful for an
administration that recognizes the economic, recreational and
traditional values of hunting and target shooting," said John Frampton, President and CEO of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports. "Although
the numbers of hunters have declined, we are optimistic they will
rebound as a result of Secretary Zinke's leadership, state wildlife
agencies, non-government organizations and industries working together.
Hunting in this country is not only part of our national heritage, it is
an important to our country’s economy, as indicated by the expenditures
in the survey.”

As a partnership effort with states and national conservation
organizations, the survey has become one of the most important sources
of information on fish and wildlife recreation in the United States.
Federal, state and private organizations use this detailed information
to manage wildlife, market products, and look for trends. Conducted by
the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the survey is based on a 22,416-household
sample surveyed through computer-assisted telephone and in-person
interviews.

Friday, October 06, 2017

The Clean Drain Dry Initiative
(CD2), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, National Professional Anglers Association and the
Great Lakes Commission, printed over 10,000 copies for distribution
throughout the Great Lake states. Since 2013, 57,000 copies have been
printed and distributed through Wildlife Forever’s national partnership
network.

White Bear Lake, MN - Wildlife Forever is proud to release the second edition of Invaders of the Great Lakes.
The highly popular field guide booklet has been a powerful tool to help
identify invasive species and prevent their spread. Thisedition
features new species such as Starry Stonewort and European Buckthorn,
both highly destructive to fish and wildlife habitat.

“New species continue to invade and threaten our nation’s resources. We
felt it was critical to highlight these new invaders to help educate and
inform recreational users of the need for Clean Drain Dry prevention,”
said Pat Conzemius, Conservation Director for Wildlife Forever.

Targeting anglers, boaters and hunters to prevent invasive species
remains the most cost-effective means for slowing the spread. Resources
such as the Invader book and CD2’s comprehensive media and
marketing approach, are fundamental to implementing on-the-ground
behavior change. Unfortunately, funding cuts to educational programs
like the CD2 threatens to erase nearly a decade of educational efforts
and progress made through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Concerned sportsment and women are encouraged to contact their natural resource agency and managers to voice support of invasive species conservation education.

The Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ is the national
campaign to educate outdoor recreational users on how to prevent the
spread of invasive species. Coordinated messaging drives best management
practices content, marketing communications and tools on how to
prevent. To learn about services available and how you can participate,
contact Pat Conzemius, PConzemius@WildlifeForever.org or visit www.CleanDrainDry.org.

Wildlife Forever (WF): Wildlife Forever’s mission is to
conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education,
preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. For 30
years, WF members have helped to conduct thousands of fish, game and
habitat conservation projects across the country. Recent audit results
reveal a 94% to mission rating. To join and learn more about the
award-winning programs, including work to engage America’s youth, visit www.WildlifeForever.org.

Both boaters and those who rely on boating to make a living lament
that there doesn’t seem to be as many younger boaters these days. The
statistics back that up. According to the recently published BoatUS Magazine feature “Why Aren’t Millennials Buying Boats?”
(October 2017), approximately 41 percent fewer 20- to 39-year-olds
owned boats in 2015 than in 2005. And while millennials may boat about
as much as their parents did, the data confirms they are far less likely
to own a boat.

Why? Author and millennial Fiona McGlynn, who is a professional management consultant, may have some answers.

Lower incomes, student debt, lack of technical knowledge or
mechanical experience, and a culture shift that eschews conventional
ownership in favor of renting take their toll on millennial (born
between 1982 and 2000) boat ownership. “Young people are not giving up
on boating, just going about it in a different way: chartering,
borrowing, and riding along,” says McGlynn, a live-aboard who recently
finished her first South Pacific crossing along with her husband, Robin.

While owning a boat can be pricey, McGlynn reports, “I’ve met a
number of young boaters finding creative ways to get out on the water
without breaking the bank, such as millennials who are participating in
cooperatives, who share a boat among friends, or who live aboard a boat
instead of renting pricey apartments in major American waterfront
cities. Several boaters interviewed for the story mentioned the
increasing popularity of wake boats, in part because they carry more
people and they’re fun.”

McGlynn ultimately writes that, in general, millennials prefer the
sharing economy. She asks, why would you buy a ski house, when all you
have to do is Airbnb it? She suggests it’s the same with boats. “20- to
39-year-olds love boating for the same reasons their parents did. They
see it as an opportunity to socialize, create family memories, and
adventures, and unplug from work. Boating has the potential for a
watershed moment among millennials.”

The BoatUS Magazine feature also includes creative tips on how young people with no boating, sailing, or fishing experience can get on the water.
For the full story, go to BoatUS.com/millennials

Thursday, July 27, 2017

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today
announced the release of its 2017 Special Report on Fishing. Most
significantly, the report shows fishing participation has increased by
1.5 million over the previous year. Additionally, several trends and participation increases among key segments are highlighted in
the report.

Fishing is still the number two adult outdoor activity, but it's gaining ground on jogging

2.5 million participants tried fishing for the very first time

New participants accounted for 5.3% of the total participant base and tended to be young and female

3.8 million Hispanics participated in fishing (an 11% increase)

Hispanic anglers go on 6 more outings per year than their general market peers

Youth participation increased 3% to 11 million total participants

Americans took 855 billion total fishing trips, equating to 18.8 trips per participant

"These findings energize us and provide some validation for the work we
are doing on a daily basis," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson.
"Our efforts to recruit new audiences and bring families to the water
are certainly paying off. 60 in 60 is off to a great start, and
effective R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) programs will
only grow the participant base and secure funding for conservation
programs for years to come."

The Special Report on Fishing is the product of a partnership between
RBFF and the Outdoor Foundation and looks into participation trends,
barriers to entry, motivating factors and preferences of key groups of
anglers.

"Research shows that fishing is an essential piece of America's outdoor
tradition, and it often leads children to pursue outdoor activities and
healthy living into adulthood," said Ivan Levin, deputy director of the
Outdoor Foundation. "This report aims to help the fishing industry, and
the entire outdoor industry, understand fishing participation in order
to engage even more people in recreational fishing and create the next
generation of lifelong anglers and outdoor enthusiasts."

A minor infestation of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)
was confirmed on Forest Preserve lands in the town of Lake George in
Warren County on July 18, the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) announced. This is the first known infestation
of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in the Adirondacks.

"To track and prevent the spread of this invasive pest, Hemlock
Woolly Adelgid, DEC has surveyed 250 acres of forest in the
Adirondacks," said DEC Commissioner Seggos. "Preventing the spread of
invasive species is the most effective way to fight and address the
damage these species can cause to our natural resources. DEC encourages
hikers, campers, boaters, sportsmen, and others recreating on or along
forestlands in northern Schenectady, Saratoga, and southern Warren
counties to check Eastern Hemlock trees and report any HWA
infestations."

A small cluster of early stage HWA was detected on one branch of an
old-growth Eastern hemlock tree on Prospect Mountain during a field trip
by a Senior Ecologist from the Harvard Research Forest.
NYDEC immediately dispatched a survey crew to the site and was
joined by staff from Cornell University's New York State Hemlock
Initiative. HWA was located and confirmed on a number of branches on the
tree by a Cornell scientist and later by DEC's DEC Diagnostic Lab. The
mature tree had no visible sign of crown thinning.

The crews surveyed 250 acres of forest and
found only one other tree, a small Eastern hemlock near the original
infested tree, that contained one branch with a small cluster of early
stage HWA.

This is the first recorded infestation of this invasive, exotic pest
in the Adirondacks. Previously, it has been detected in 29 other
counties in New York, primarily in the lower Hudson Valley and, more
recently, in the Finger Lakes region. Seventeen other states along the
Appalachian Mountain range from Maine to Georgia also have HWA
infestations. HWA is a listed prohibited species under DEC's invasive
species regulations.

DEC is evaluating means to eradicate this infestation and prevent it
from spreading. This will not include cutting down trees, which is not
an effective means for controlling HWA as it is with other invasive
forest pests.

The most effective treatment method for control of HWA is the use of
insecticides. The insecticide is applied to the bark near the base of
the hemlock tree and are absorbed and spread through the tissue of the
tree. When HWA attaches itself to tree to feed, it receives a dose of
the pesticide and is killed.

In the past three years DEC has treated infested hemlock trees with
insecticides at a few select locations where the control is likely to
slow the spread of HWA, or where the hemlocks provide a significant
public value. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation has treated many hemlocks trees at a number of State Parks.
Both chemical and biological control options are important in the
long-term fight against HWA.

Dispersal and movement of HWA occur primarily during the first life
stage ("crawler") as a result of wind and animals that come in contact
with the sticky egg sacks and crawlers. Isolated infestations and
long-distance movement of HWA, most often occur as the result of people
transporting infested nursery stock.

DEC monitors the distribution and spread of HWA by annual aerial and
ground surveys as well as reports from partners and the general public.
DEC has been involved in biological control efforts against HWA since
the 1990s, and has released several approved natural enemies of HWA at
locations in the Finger Lakes and Catskills regions.

HWA, a tiny insect from East Asia first discovered in New York in
1985, attacks forest and ornamental hemlock trees. It feeds on young
twigs, causing needles to dry out and drop prematurely and causing
branch dieback. Hemlock decline and mortality typically occur within
four to 10 years of infestation in the insect's northern range.

Damage from the insect has led to widespread hemlock mortality
throughout the Appalachian Mountains and the southern Catskill Mountains
with considerable ecological damage, as well as economic and aesthetic
losses. HWA infestations can be most noticeably detected by the small,
white, woolly masses produced by the insects that are attached to the
underside of the twig, near the base of the needles.

Eastern hemlock trees, which comprise approximately 10 percent of the
Adirondack forest, are among the oldest trees in New York with some
reaching ages of more than 700 years. They typically occupy steep,
shaded, north-facing slopes and stream banks where few other trees are
successful. The trees help maintain erosion control and water quality,
and the hemlock's shade cool waters providing critical habitat for many
of New York's freshwater fish, including native brook trout.

Survey efforts by DEC and Cornell's New York State Hemlock Initiative
will continue to determine if other infestations are present in the
surrounding area. As the closest known infestation of HWA is 40 miles
away in Schenectady County, DEC is asking hikers, campers, boaters,
sportsmen, and others recreating on or along forestlands in northern
Schenectady, Saratoga, and southern Warren counties to check Eastern
Hemlock trees and report any HWA infestations.

New York is particularly vulnerable to invasive species due to its
rich biodiversity and role as a center for international trade and
travel. Rapid response and control is a critical line of defense in
minimalizing the establishment, and ultimately permanently removing, an
invasive population.

More information on HWA, including identification, control techniques, and reporting possible infestations can be found at Cornell's New York State Hemlock Initiative (link leaves DEC's website) or DEC's website. You can also call DEC's toll-free Forest Pest Information Line at 1-866-640-0652 to ask questions and report possible infestations.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a wild trout summit open to the public at its Centre County
regional office on Saturday, Aug. 26 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

“This
is the first time the agency has hosted a meeting to discuss wild
trout,” said Andy Shiels, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Fisheries.
“This will bring agency, academic and Trout Unlimited experts together
to present and discuss the past, present and future of Pennsylvania’s
wild trout resources.”

The
event will be held at the PFBC’s newly renovated Centre Region Office
Building, located at 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive in Bellefonte, PA
16823. This Centre County location can be easily reached via I-99 by
taking the Bellefonte/Route 150 North exit.

Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. The program will start at 10:15 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m.

Speakers will present information on the history of wild trout management in Pennsylvania, the Unassessed Wild Trout Waters Initiative, special regulations for wild trout, and how environmental permit review affects wild trout protection.

In
addition, there will be presentations on the potential impacts of
climate change, the PFBC’s wild trout stream habitat improvement
priorities, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wild
Trout Management Plan, and Implications of Genetics on Wild Trout
Management.

New information on several Penn State University trout radio-tracking studies will also be provided.

Finally,
there will a panel discussion at the end of the day to bring the
presenters together for a question and answer session with the
attendees. A tentative agenda can be viewed on the PFBC website.

The Wild Trout Summit is open to the public, but registration is required. Attendees may register online.

“This
will be an informative event and an opportunity for wild trout
enthusiasts and supporters to spend a day learning about a truly unique
Commonwealth aquatic resource,” added Shiels.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Joint Economic Committee Democrats released state
fact sheets
today on the economic impact of public lands on their neighboring
communities. Our nation’s public lands are a cherished aspect of
American heritage and a key contributor to local economies. Each
state-specific fact sheet highlights the importance of public
lands to communities across the country.

The
fact sheets show that in 2016, the 331 million people who visited
national parks spent an estimated $18.4 billion in local gateway
communities, supported 318,000 jobs, and added $34.9 billion in
economic output to the national economy. Protected public lands also
boost local economies by increasing income per person.

“America’s
public lands are not only a part of our heritage that we cherish
passing onto our children and grandchildren, but they are also the
backbone of a thriving outdoor
recreation economy,” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee.
“National monuments, national parks, and other public lands draw locals
and visitors alike to go outdoors and represent billions of dollars in
economic
output and millions of American jobs—especially in rural areas. The
campaign to shrink or even sell off our shared lands would devastate
outdoor traditions like hunting, camping, and fishing that are among the
pillars of Western culture and a thriving outdoor
recreation economy. I remain deeply committed to standing with New
Mexicans and all Americans to protect our public lands, water, and
wildlife for our children and all future generations to enjoy.”

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The Delaware
River Basin Commission (DRBC) today released its 2016 annual report
highlighting ongoing efforts to manage the water resources of the
13,539-square-mile Delaware River Basin that provides
drinking water for an estimated 15 million people.

This year’s report focuses on “Clean Water by the
Numbers” emphasizing the efforts and results of the commission and its
staff of engineers, aquatic biologists, geologists, modelers, planners,
and others to provide clean and sustainable
water resources throughout the Delaware River Basin.

“Measuring changes to water quality can be
complex,” said DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini. “In 2016, we saw a
continuation of DRBC-driven water quality improvements throughout the
basin.” For example, in watersheds that drain to
the basin’s Special Protection Waters (from Hancock, N.Y. to Trenton,
N.J.), DRBC’s goal is
no measurable change to existing water quality except toward natural conditions.
DRBC’s monitoring and assessment programs confirmed in a report
published in 2016 that the Lower Delaware – a 76-mile stretch of the
river extending from just below
the Delaware Water Gap at Portland, Pa./Columbia, N.J. to Trenton – not
only met the
no measurable change water quality objective, but showed
reductions in nutrient pollution at most sites. “Our annual report
highlights these improvements along with many other DRBC programs that
we employ to effectively manage our shared water resources
in the basin,” said Tambini.

The compact that formed the DRBC in 1961 requires
the publication of an annual report covering the commission’s programs,
operations, and finances.
The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency
responsible for managing the water resources within the Delaware River
Basin without regard to political boundaries. The five commission
members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware,
New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the
federal government.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

It’s been an excellent water
year so far and that's resulted in some very good drift boat fishing on the Upper
Delaware. The Main Stem, West
Branch, and East Branch have had high cold water flows providing excellent all day fishing
opportunities.Blue Quills, Hendricksons, caddis flies, March Browns, grey fox, green, and brown drakes, and golden stone flies have been on the trout’s menu. As we come into summer, Isonychia, aka slate drakes, Cahills, and blue wing olives will play a major role in the trout's diet. Time of day can become critical in determining your success. To help you maximize your time on the water we have several different options available for trout fishing, and to maximize your summertime opportunities we also have a couple of other species we throw into the mix.

Here's what can be in store for your summer fishing fun.

Magic Hour Dry Fly Fishing This Summer we're once again offering a Magic Hour evening float trip where you can try
your hand on twilight fishing for the Delaware’s famed wild rainbow trout. This
3 to 4 hour

float trip begins with meeting us around 6:00 PM and fishing until
dark from the safety and comfort of a drift boat. Catch the excitement of
evening spinner falls for just $250 for one or two
anglers.

Our Full Day guided trip for up to 2 people is still
available for $425. A five hour Half Day’s trip is $325.

Sunrise Half Day Start your day at daybreak and enjoy the sights and sounds of the river awakening. Early morning sippers eating their breakfast from the film or aggressive meat eaters willing to chase down a streamer with a smashing grab, you never know which way the day will start. It's cool just being there.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing
on the Upper Delaware RiverField and Stream Magazine names the Upper Delaware as one of the top five
smallmouth bass Rivers in the US - July 2007The number one reason you should
fish for smallmouth bass with us is because it's just downright fun! Perfect for
the novice or expert.

On spin tackle or on a fly rod the smallmouth is inch for
inch and pound for pound, the sportiest fish in freshwater. As soon as they're
hooked a smallmouth lets off with an exciting series of runs and jumps, fighting
against the rod and giving the impression that it's a far bigger fish than it
is.Our Full
Day guided Smallmouth trips are for up to 2 people, 8+ hours, snacks, soft
drinks, and lunch included.Fly Fish for Carp!

The ubiquitous common carp provides summertime sight fishing opportunities for a challenging and strong fighting fish.

Spooky and nervous, it takes a perfectly presented fly for a feeding carp to take interest, but once he does, watch out, for it's game on with a hard fighter that can put your tackle to the test.

Once introduced to this fascinating fish many fly anglers quickly become obsessed with the both the challenge and quarry. Don't be a fish snob, come find a new obsession with us!

Evening to Midnight Mousing for Brown Trout

One thing we've learned over the years is that it doesn't pay to stay up all night. The best carnivore activity happens from dusk to somewhere between 11 PM and midnight, and then again for a brief period just before dawn. This is definitely not for the faint of heart or the beginner fly fisher. Swimming a mouse pattern through the darkness is truly an adventure that requires solid casting skills. When your line gets tight with the slurp of a big brown trout you'll be hooked on fly fishing the cooler summer nights! Our favorite pattern is Cermele's Master Splinter, a simple, easy to tie fly that gives a realistic silhouette that brown trout find hard to resist. It's easy to cast too making the darkness game that much less complicated.Check out if this might be for you: Mousing the Upper Delaware and then give us a call to schedule your date.

Call us today and get your summer fishing fun together!914-475-6779 or 800-463-2750

Wednesday, April 05, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host a public meeting to discuss Delaware River Tailwater and Main Stem trout fishing regulations at the Hancock High School, 67 Education Lane, Hancock, on Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. The upper Delaware River system is made up of two tailwater rivers, the East and West branches, which converge in Hancock to form the Main Stem of the Delaware River.

The meeting will outline the recent history of fishing regulations for the area’s trout streams and gather public input on ways to improve the regulations. DEC Fisheries and Law Enforcement staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about trout regulations and the enforcement of those regulations.

The fishing regulations are designed to ensure the continued sustainability of the fishery by setting daily catch limits as well as minimum size limits for allowable fish. In addition, some stretches of the river are designated as catch and release only, and some stretches have restricted angling methods, such as artificial lures only. The public is invited to bring their ideas and questions about how DEC manages the fishery resource in the Delaware River and its main tributaries.

For those unable to attend the meeting, the public is invited to comment on the current trout regulations and suggest ways they could be improved. Comments should be sent to Chris VanMaaren, DEC Region 4 Fisheries Manager, 65561 State Hwy 10, Stamford, NY 12167, or emailed to fwfish4@dec.ny.gov.

Sunday, April 02, 2017

Venomous snakes lurk in the brush through much of the area I spend my time. Ticks lie in ambush, waiting to jump aboard and inject disease into my blood stream. Mosquitoes hone in on carbon dioxide so they can join their tick cousins in injecting pathogens all under the guise of feeding. Then there are the over
250 black fly species in North America, with about a half dozen different
ones that have been determined to bite you.

The way I see it, they are
all determined to bite you. Though we do fare better than livestock and poultry
when it comes to fly bites. These animals can catch all sorts of nasty
and deadly diseases and even drop dead from severe blood loss and toxic
shock.

Black flies exist simply to annoy. Yes, they bite, and in some people they might cause an allergic reaction at the bite site, but according to Purdue University, there are no known diseases they transmit to humans in North America. In some areas they are called Buffalo Gnats, implying you don't need to worry about them if there aren't any bison around.

Though many black fly bites can collectively cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, and headache, don't worry about it. It's called 'Black Fly Fever" and is no big deal to those not suffering from it.

In Central and South America, and also parts of Africa, black flies can inflict a disease known as river blindness. Basically, they inject you with a worm larva that causes all sorts of skin problems and blindness. It hasn't found its way north yet, but like most things infectious, I'm sure one day it will.Black flies require clean, well oxygenated water to to breed in. With less and less of that around, it's only a matter of time until black flies become eradicated. It still has me baffled how one time I was bitten by a black fly in Bayonne, NJ.

So don't sweat the black flies. They'll only crawl in your ears, up your nose, and get in your eyes, all the while nipping at your flesh for its vampire meal. Wear a head net, bug suit, duct tape your shirt sleeves to your wrists, spray down with Raid, or any of the concoctions devised over the years to repel the bugs, and be happy knowing that at least in North America they'll only drive you crazy. Unless you're a cow... or a chicken.

Friday, March 17, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is
encouraging students who have completed at least two years of college to
apply for summer job opportunities through DEC's annual internship
program. The program offers multiple part-time unpaid internships in the
fields of engineering, science, planning, sustainability, law,
community outreach, social media, and more.

"DEC's summer internship program connects the Capital Region's
college students with opportunities to learn about future careers and
garner professional experience," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "By
working closely with DEC's engineers, scientists, and other
professionals, we hope that our interns are inspired to protect New
York's public health and the environment as the next generation of
conservationists and dedicated public servants."

Candidates must submit applications by April 20, 2017. The majority
of the internships are located at DEC's downtown Albany office.
Prospective interns are encouraged to carefully read the qualifications
for each job to determine whether they meet the requirements before
submitting an application.

Those accepted into the six-week summer internship program will have
the chance to work alongside a team of highly trained and skilled DEC
employees who regulate and manage New York State natural resources and
the environment. Placements are made within one of DEC's divisions, and
interns will be assigned to specific program areas such as public lands,
air or water quality, fiscal and personnel management, legal counsel,
or environmental education. Every effort is made to match the intern's
career interests, experience, and field of study with the needs of and
the experiences offered by each program.

Wednesday, March 01, 2017

Bald eagle and osprey populations continue to reach
record highs in New Jersey, according to surveys conducted by the
Department of Environmental Protection’s Endangered and Nongame Species
Program and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

The surveys of eagle and osprey populations and nest
sites conducted last year documented 172 nesting or territorial pairs
of bald eagles in New Jersey, up from 161 the previous year, with
southern New Jersey, especially the Delaware Bay region, remaining the
species’ stronghold.

In addition, 42 new osprey nests were counted, for a
record total of 515. The Atlantic coast – in particular the wetlands
and waterways around Barnegat Bay and Great Egg Harbor – accounted for
the vast majority of nests.

“These
surveys confirm that New Jersey’s ecologically sensitive coastal
environments are healthy and thriving,” Commissioner Martin said. “The
steady recoveries of these magnificent birds of prey would not be
possible if not for our strong partnership with the Conserve Wildlife
Foundation and the work of vigilant volunteer nest watchers who give
their time to monitor these nests.”

The Endangered and Nongame Species Program’s efforts
protecting these and a wide variety of other species depend in large
part on funds provided by the Endangered Wildlife Fund state income-tax
check-off, which allows taxpayers to provide a portion of their state
refunds to fund wildlife protection.

The Endangered Wildlife Fund check-off is on Line 59 of
Form NJ-1040. Taxpayers are provided the option of contributing $10,
$20, or an amount of his or her choosing, toward protection of
threatened and endangered species.

The Endangered and Nongame Species Program also depends
on strong partnerships with local conservation groups, and recently
awarded Conserve Wildlife Matching Grants – funded by sales of Conserve
Wildlife license plates – to help nonprofit conservation organizations
enhance public education, research and habitat management projects.

“Without
the help of local residents who care deeply about wildlife, we would
not be able to accomplish as much as we do,” said Division of Fish and
Wildlife Acting Director Larry Herrighty. “As important and visible as
eagle and osprey recoveries are, the Endangered and Nongame Species
Program protects a truly wide variety of species such as the red knot,
piping plover, bobcat, Indiana bat, bog turtle, eastern tiger
salamander, timber rattlesnake, wood turtle, even various species of
dragonflies and butterflies, to name a few.”

The recovery of eagles and ospreys is largely the result
of a decades-old ban on DDT, a once widely-used pesticide that caused
egg failure. But the species have needed a lot of nurturing along the
way, including programs to incubate eggs in laboratory settings and
intensive monitoring of nest sites. The Endangered and Nongame Species
Program also works to identify habitats that are critical to support
the state’s bald eagle nesting and wintering populations.

Among the state’s endangered species wildlife
recoveries, perhaps none have been as dramatic as that of the bald
eagle. In 1982, there was just one nest left in the state, in
Cumberland County’s Bear Swamp, and that nest repeatedly failed due to
DDT. Eagles were ultimately brought in from Canada to begin rebuilding
New Jersey’s population.

In 2016, a record 172 pairs of nests were counted, up
from 161 in 2015 and continuing the trend of new nests being identified
ever. Of these, 150 actively nested, and the remainder were in the
process of establishing nesting territories before, which is part of
the species biological behavior. The active nests produced a total of
216 eagle chicks.

The majority of the state’s nests are in southern New
Jersey. Nearly half of the nests are found in the Delaware Bay region –
believed to be the species’ historic stronghold prior to steep
DDT-related declines.

Both eagles and osprey depend primarily upon fish for
survival. The DDT ban eliminated a toxin that accumulated in the tissue
of fish that eagles ate and caused their eggs to become brittle and
fail.
The trend for the osprey, a primarily coastal
bird-of-prey, continues to be equally uplifting. During the osprey
survey conducted last June and July, volunteers and staff checked nests
from Sandy Hook to Cape May, and then up Delaware Bay to record nest
occupancy and success.

Of the 515 nests counted statewide, the majority – 316 – are found along the Atlantic coastline.
Notably, the survey confirmed that osprey in the Barnegat
Bay area tagged with special red bands are increasingly using the bay
for nesting. The Barnegat Bay region and Sedge Islands Wildlife
Management Area located in the bay adjacent to Island Beach State Park
accounted for 102 of the state’s counted nests.

This three-year-old project, known as Project RedBand,
is designed to chart the migration, feeding patterns, lifespans and
nesting patterns of osprey in the ecologically important Barnegat Bay
region while engaging the public in the recovery of this species
through the special bands that can be identified from a distance.

The nests that were counted during the statewide survey
are believed to account for at least 80 percent of the nests actually
present in the state. Detailed data collected from 376 of the nests
showed that 670 chicks were hatched, for an average 1.78 young per
nest, more than twice the rate needed to sustain a stable population. A
total of 361 young were banded for future tracking.

Volunteers work to build and maintain osprey nest platforms that have helped greatly in the recovery of the species.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

"New York State is known for fantastic freshwater sport fishing
opportunities," said Commissioner Seggos. "These regulatory changes will
help maintain these opportunities and enthusiasm for the sport."

The modifications to the sport fishing regulations are a result of a
two-year process that included biological assessment, discussions with
anglers, and a formal 45-day public comment period. DEC used public
input to finalize the changes. These regulations will be published in
the 2017-18 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide that will be available
at all license sales vendors and on-line in March.

Highlights of the new regulations include:

Adjustments to existing walleye regulations in various waters
throughout the state, including measures to protect spawning walleye and
conservative minimum harvest size and creel limits in waters where
managers are trying to establish self-sustaining populations of this
popular sport fish. Regulations have also been liberalized for two
waters where successful management has resulted in increased walleye
abundance, Chautauqua Lake (Chautauqua County) and Franklin Falls Flow
(Essex County);

Modifications to DEC Region 7 Finger Lakes rules to increase
survival of rainbow trout, brown trout, and Atlantic salmon and to
create a greater balance between these species and lake trout;

Allowing ice fishing in some waters and restricting the number
or use of devices used for fishing through the ice (including, but not
limited to hand line, tip-up, tip down, etc.) in other waters to protect
self-sustaining populations or limit fishing pressure;

Simplification of the black bass regulations in Lake Erie by
compressing the three existing seasons into two while expanding
opportunities to use live bait and harvest one large bass per day during
a special season;

Greater protection for northern pike in the St. Lawrence River
due to the declining abundance of spawning adults and poor recruitment
of young-of-year fish in the Thousand Islands region;

Relaxing of special regulations for trout and Atlantic salmon
for various waters in DEC Region 5 (Adirondack Region) due to poor
survival; and

Monday, February 27, 2017

Volunteers in the Hudson Valley are getting ready for the annual breeding migrations of
salamanders and frogs, which may occur as soon Saturday, February 25,
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
announced today. The volunteers will be documenting their observations
as part of DEC's Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project. With
this week's unseasonably warm temperatures and the rainy weekend
forecast, the 2017 migration may have an unusually early start.

After the ground starts to thaw in late winter and early spring,
species such as spotted salamander and wood frog emerge from
underground winter shelters in the forest and walk overland to woodland
pools for breeding. In New York, this migration usually occurs on rainy
nights in late March and early April, when the night air temperature is
above 40F. When these conditions align just so, there can be explosive
("big night") migrations, with hundreds of amphibians on the move, many
having to cross roads.

"New York hosts an incredible array of amphibians, and an even more
amazing volunteer network that helps ensure their survival each spring,"
said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "As the State's Wildlife Action
Plan identifies road mortality as a significant threat to frogs, toads,
and salamanders, I encourage all New Yorkers and visitors traveling
through our state to keep an eye out for amphibians, and our committed
community of volunteers helping them cross the road."

Volunteers of the Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project
document Hudson Valley locations where migrations cross roads, record
weather and traffic conditions, and identify and count the salamanders,
frogs, and toads on the move. The volunteers also carefully help the
amphibians to safety cross roads. Now in its ninth year, more than 300
project volunteers have assisted more than 8,500 amphibians cross New
York roads.

Drivers on New York roads are encouraged to drive with caution or
avoid travel on the first warm, rainy evenings of the season. Amphibians
come out after nightfall and are slow moving; mortality can be high
even on low-traffic roads.

Interested community members are also invited to attend "Why Did the
Salamander Cross the Road?" a talk on the Amphibian Migrations and Road
Crossings project on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gardiner
Library, 133 Farmer's Turnpike, Gardiner, NY. This talk on the Amphibian
Migrations and Road Crossings project is part of a Wallkill River
Watershed Alliance lecture series. DEC staff will discuss the importance
of forests and wetlands in the Hudson River Estuary watershed, and the
value of this habitat for amphibians, as well as how volunteers can get
involved with documenting "big night" road crossings, assisting
amphibians in their overland travel, and conserving important natural
areas in their communities.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

A lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count
(GBBC) was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from
the growing number of participants in this now-global event. The 20th
annual GBBC is taking place February 17-20 in backyards, parks, nature
centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies, and
beaches—anywhere you find birds.

Bird watchers count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes over the past 20 years.

“The very first GBBC was an experiment,” says the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Marshall Iliff, a leader of the eBird program.
“We wanted to see if people would use the Internet to send us their
bird sightings. Clearly the experiment was a success!” eBird collects
bird observations globally every day of the year and is the online
platform used by the GBBC.

Bohemian Waxwing by A. Blomquist, 2016 GBBC.

That first year, bird watchers submitted about 13,500 checklists from
the United States and Canada. Fast-forward to the most recent event in
2016. Over the four days of the count, an estimated 163,763 bird
watchers from more than 100 countries submitted 162,052 bird checklists
reporting 5,689 species–more than half the known bird species in the
world.

“The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to introduce people to
participation in citizen science,” says Audubon vice president and chief
scientist Gary Langham. “No other program allows volunteers to take an
instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations that can contribute to
our understanding of how a changing climate is affecting birds.”

Varying weather conditions so far this winter are producing a few
trends that GBBC participants can watch for during the count. eBird
reports show many more waterfowl and kingfishers remaining further north
than usual because they are finding open water. If that changes, these
birds could move southward.

Also noted are higher than usual numbers of Bohemian Waxwings in the
Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains. And while some winter
finches have been spotted in the East, such as Red Crossbills, Common
Redpolls, Evening Grosbeaks, and a few Pine Grosbeaks, there seem to be
no big irruptions so far. A few eye-catching Snowy Owls have been
reported in the northern half of the United States.

Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s National Program Director,
reminds participants in Canada and the U.S. to keep watch for snowies.
He says, “The GBBC has done a terrific job of tracking irruptions of
Snowy Owls southward over the past several years. We can’t predict what
winter 2017 will bring, because Snowy Owl populations are so closely
tied to unpredictable ‘cycles’ of lemmings in the Arctic. These cycles
occur at intervals between two and six years. Nevertheless, there are
already reports of Snowy Owls as far south as Virginia.”

In addition to counting birds, the GBBC photo contest has also been a
hit with participants since it was introduced in 2006. Since then, tens
of thousands of stunning images have been submitted. For the 20th
anniversary of the GBBC, the public is invited to vote for their
favorite top photo from each of the past 11 years in a special album
they will find on the GBBC website home page. Voting takes place during
the four days of the GBBC.

Public water systems in affected counties continue to implement
voluntary and mandatory water reductions in response to reduced
supplies. DEP suggests several steps citizens can take to voluntarily
reduce their water use:
• Run water only when necessary. Don’t let the faucet run while
brushing your teeth or shaving. Shorten the amount of time you let the
water run to warm up before you shower. Use a bucket to catch the water
and then reuse it to water your plants.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads.
• Check for household leaks. A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day.
• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models
that use about 30 percent less water and 40 to 50 percent less energy.
• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.

DEP also offers other water conservation recommendations and water audit
procedures for commercial and industrial users, such as food
processors, hotels and educational institutions. These recommendations
and additional drought monitoring information are available on the DEP Drought Information website.

Monday, February 13, 2017

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker determined there are commercial fishery failures
for nine salmon and crab fisheries in Alaska, California and
Washington. In recent years, each of these fisheries experienced sudden
and unexpected large decreases in fish stock biomass due to unusual
ocean and climate conditions. This decision enables fishing communities
to seek disaster relief assistance from Congress.

“The Commerce Department and NOAA stand with America's fishing
communities. We are proud of the contributions they make to the nation's
economy, and we recognize the sacrifices they are forced to take in
times of environmental hardship," said Samuel D. Rauch III, deputy
assistant administrator for regulatory programs, NOAA Fisheries. "We are
committed to helping these communities recover and achieve success in
the future."

Under the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act and the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Commerce Secretary can
determine a commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource
disaster, which then provides a basis for Congress to appropriate
disaster relief funding to provide economic assistance to affected
fishing communities, including salmon and crab fishermen, affected by
the disaster.

If Congress appropriates funds to address these fishery failures,
NOAA will work closely with members of Congress and affected states and
tribes to develop a spending plan to support activities that would
restore the fishery, prevent a similar failure, and assist affected
communities.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's
environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and
to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.